Corrections for instrumental error of the several barometers have been computed uniformly from a series of fifty readings compared with a similar series of readings of the standard barometer. When the result of these readings gave an error of more than one-tenth of one inch, the instrument was regarded as unfit for use. The thermometers have been compared with the standard at temperature varying from that of melting ice to 130° Fahrenheit, the lower temperature being produced by broken ice. For the indication of the higher temperature, the bulbs of the thermometers were immersed in heated water. In these comparisons a variation of one degree from the standard rendered the instrument unfit for nse. The following-named self-recording instruments have been in practical use in the instrument-room during the past year, and the records filed: Hough's electrical printing barometer. Hough's electrical recording barometer. Peelor's mechanical barometer. Photographic barometer. Clum's aelleograph. Hough's electrical meteorograph, (barometer, thermometer, and hygrometer.) Photographic thermometers. Gibbon's electrical recording anemometer. Gibbon's electrical recording anemometer and anemoscope. Beck's mechanical recording anemometer and anemoscope. Wild's mechanical anemometer, anemoscope, and rain-gauge. Draper's mechanical anemometer for velocity. Draper's mechanical anemometer for pressure. Draper's mechanical anemoscope. Draper's mechanical rain-gauge. Beckley's mechanical rain-gauge. Gibbon's electrical recording tide-gauge. Dunwoody's electrical tide-gauge. Both Two glass cases, in which are represented the different atmospheric phenomena, have been constructed by Private P. A. Monnet, Signal-Service, United States Army. cases contain specimens of clouds arranged in the style of a panorama. The smaller case gives only the principal outlines of the objects, and may be considered as a short synopsis of that branch of meteorology. The larger case is more particularly adapted for nephelegraphic studies, each type of cloud being therein exhibited in its most essential character, and surrounded with its principal derivatives. The broader forms and those above them are separate types; whereas the two lower strata, being the terrestrial range, correspond to combined meteors, viz: aqueous, aerial, and luminous. Some phenomena of the last class, like haze, auroras, coloration at sunrise and sunset, can be produced at pleasure by optical attachments external to the case. The chief object aimed at in both styles of representation is to trace the effects of atmospheric agencies on aqueous vapor. CORRESPONDENCE PAPER 21. IN REFERENCE TO THE CO-OPERATION OF THE POST-OFFICE AND WAR DEPARTMENTS IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF WEATHER-REPORTS. WAR DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF SIGNAL-OFFICER, FOR THE BENEFIT OF COMMERCE AND AGRICULTURE, Washington, D. C., December 7, 1872. SIR: I have the honor to request that instructions may issue to the postmasters at the post-offices named in the accompanying list A, herewith, to display daily and instantly upon their receipt by mail, upon bulletin-boards, which will be furnished (if so permitted by the Postmaster-General) from this office, the reports as to the probable condition of the weather in the sections in which these offices are located, which this office will furnish by mail daily in printed form, and addressed to the postmasters named respectively. Under section 6 of the act of Congress entitled “An act to revise, consolidate, and amend the statutes relating to the Post-Office Department," approved June 8, 1872, the request of the honorable Postmaster-General that this publication be made by the postmasters, or others in his service, as being for the public good, would clearly have the effect of an order; but should there be question on this point, there can be none that most of the postmasters interested would gladly perform the duty as for the public good, and one reflecting credit upon the Department in which they serve. To the Postmaster-General himself, whose good-will to this Bureau has been so often and with such benefit to the Department evidenced, the Chief Signal-Officer does not feel it necessary to urge at length reasons for requesting his valuable co-operation. It is sufficient to say that the plan suggested seems to offer a more immediate and extensive method of reaching the whole interior and agricultural populations of the United States, with information in which each citizen has an interest, than any hitherto put in use in any country in the world. Attention is respectfully invited to the accompanying memorandum of the plan of distribution. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, ALBERT J. MYER, Brigadier-General and Chief Signal-Officer of the Army. The Hon. POSTMASTER-GENERAL. PLAN OF WORK. It is proposed to divide the territory east of the Mississippi River into districts of about two hundred miles in diameter, each district having a distributing point at or near its center, from which two copies of the reports will be mailed daily to all postoffices accessible by rail or mail-coach by 6 p. m. each day. At each office the postmaster is to post one copy of each report, as soon as received, in a frame to be furnished by the Signal-Office, which frame will be put up in a conspicuous part of the office, where it can be seen and the bulletins read by the public without difficulty. The second copy is intended for the personal use of the postmaster, and may be disposed of in the manner he thinks best calculated to diffuse the information it contains. The chart here with illustrates the proposed form of districting. MEMORANDUM. The extent of the co-operation required of the Post-Office Department is the transmission daily by mail of one additional letter to each post-office named in the schedules, and the putting up daily at such offices one copy of the bulletins furnished by the Signal-Office. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington City, December 9, 1872. SIR: I have the honor to inclose herewith a communication from the Chief Signal-Officer of the Army, relative to distribution of the daily weather-reports, and to request the co-operation of your Department in the mode indicated by him, if consistent with your views. The subject is one of public interest, and the plan appears capable of effecting a public good. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, The Hon. POSTMASTER-GENERAL. WM. W. BELKNAP, POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., December 11, 1872. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th instant inclosing a communication from the Chief Signal-Officer of the Army, with schedules and plans for the co-operation of the Post-Office and War Departments in distributing the daily weather-reports throughout the agricultural districts of the United States accessible by rail or mail-coach, by 6 p. m. each day, from certain designated distributing points. I heartily approve of the plan proposed by General Myer for extending to the agricultural sections of the country the benefit of the information contained in the daily weather-reports from the Signal-Office, and have issued an order under date of 9th instant, a copy of which is inclosed herewith, instructing all postmasters receiving these reports by mail to post them immediately in the frames supplied for that purpose by the Signal-Office. Any further assistance that may be desired from this Department will be most cheerfully given. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. WмM. W. BELKNAP, JNO. A. J. CRESWELL, Secretary of War. · POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT, Washington, D. C., December 10, 1872. Arrangements have been made between the Post-Office and War Departments by which one or more of the daily weather-reports issued by the signal-office will be furnished daily to all the post-offices that can be reached from the several points of distribution daily by mail. As these reports are designed for the benefit of the agricultural as well as the commercial interests of the country, the Postmaster-General instructs all postmasters receiving them to post them immediately in the frames supplied for this purpose by the signal-office. PAPER 22. List of Agricultural Societies which, on September 30, 1873, had appointed permanent committees to confer with the Chief Signal-Officer of the Army. |